Aeterna Zentaris: Phase 1 Data for Perifosine in Multiple Myeloma Published in the British Journal of Haematology

QUÉBEC CITY, June 5, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ:
AEZS) (TSX: AEZ) (the "Company") today announced that Phase 1 trial
results for the Company's oral anticancer compound, perifosine, in
multiple myeloma, have been published in the online May 2012 issue of
the British Journal of Haematology. The article outlines the safety
profile and encouraging clinical activity of perifosine when combined
with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in relapsed and relapsed/refractory
multiple myeloma.

The Study

Thirty-two patients were enrolled in this single-arm, open label Phase 1
trial across 4-dose cohorts. Patients received escalating doses of
perifosine 50-100 mg daily and lenalidomide 15-25 mg once daily on
days 1-21 of each 28-day cycle, plus dexamethasone 20-40 mg weekly
thereafter, as indicated. The primary objectives of the trial were to
determine the safety, maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and response -rate
(clinicaltrials.gov NCT00415064).

Results

Among 30 evaluable patients for efficacy, 73% achieved a minimal
response or better, including 50% with a partial response or better.
Median progression-free survival was 10.8 months and median overall
survival was 30.6 months.

Among the 31 evaluable patients for safety and tolerability, the most
common all-causality grade 1-2 adverse events were fatigue (48%) and
diarrhea (45%), and grade 3-4 adverse events were neutropenia (26%),
hypophosphataemia (23%), thrombocytopenia (16%), and leucopenia (13%).
No grade 3-4 peripheral neuropathy or deep vein thrombosis were
reported.

Exploratory pharmacodynamic study data suggest that the clinical
efficacy of perifosine + lenalidomide + dexamethasone is positively
associated with phospho-Akt; the activity of the 3-drug combination
appeared to be greater in patients with higher baseline phospho-Akt.
Although this observation is based on just a few patients, the
correlative data could represent the first steps towards the rational
selection of individualized therapy with Akt inhibitors. The data also
suggest that perifosine may be particularly effective in patients with
Akt-dependent multiple myeloma, a subgroup of multiple myeloma
(Zollinger et al,2008). Additional studies are ongoing to investigate the potential
relationship between perifosine activity and phospho-Akt. Findings may
show whether patients with an activated Akt genotype would benefit in
particular from the addition of perifosine, therefore raising the
possibility of individualized therapy according to a patient's
phospho-Akt status. The authors concluded: "Perifosine + lenalidomide +
dexamethasone was well tolerated and demonstrated encouraging clinical
activity in relapsed and relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma".

Juergen Engel, PhD, President and CEO of Aeterna Zentaris stated,
"Results of this study including the new exploratory pharmacodynamic
data are one of the reasons which encouraged us to continue our Phase 3
study with perifosine in multiple myeloma."

Multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer. According to
Decision Resources, there will be approximately 180,830 cases of
multiple myeloma diagnosed in the main G7 markets in 2012. Research
shows that the majority of patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma are
age 65 and older. Approximately 2,500 more males are diagnosed with
this cancer than females each year.

About Perifosine

Perifosine is a novel, oral anticancer compound that inhibits Akt
activation in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. It works by
interfering with membranes of cancer cells, thereby inhibiting Akt
signaling which then affects cell death, growth, differentiation and
survival. Perifosine is currently in a Phase 3 trial in multiple
myeloma. In this indication, it has been granted Orphan Drug and Fast
Track designations by the Food and Drug Administration. It has also
received positive Scientific Advice and Orphan Medicinal Product
designation from the European Medicines Agency. Rights for perifosine
have been out licensed to Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd. for Japan, to Handok
Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. for Korea and to Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC for
the Middle East and certain countries in North Africa. Aeterna Zentaris
holds rights for the rest of the world.

About Aeterna Zentaris

Aeterna Zentaris is an oncology and endocrinology drug development
company currently investigating treatments for various unmet medical
needs. The Company's pipeline encompasses compounds at all stages of
development, from drug discovery through to marketed products. For more
information please visit www.aezsinc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to
the safe harbour provisions of the U.S. Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks
and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to
differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such
risks and uncertainties include, among others, the availability of
funds and resources to pursue R&D projects, the successful and timely
completion of clinical studies, the risk that safety and efficacy data
from any of our Phase 3 trials may not coincide with the data analyses
from previously reported Phase 1 and/or Phase 2 clinical trials, the
ability of the Company to take advantage of business opportunities in
the pharmaceutical industry, uncertainties related to the regulatory
process and general changes in economic conditions. Investors should
consult the Company's quarterly and annual filings with the Canadian
and U.S. securities commissions for additional information on risks and
uncertainties relating to forward-looking statements. Investors are
cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. The Company
does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements. We
disclaim any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly
announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking
statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or
developments, unless required to do so by a governmental authority or
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